Table saw with actuator module

ABSTRACT

A power tool in one embodiment includes a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position and a second swing arm position, a latch pin pivotable between a first position and a second position, an actuator module configured to receive a plurality of actuators, a first actuating module position within the actuator module configured to align a first of the plurality of actuators with a strike plate on the swing arm assembly, a loader configured to bias a second of the plurality of actuators from a second actuating module position within the actuator module toward the first actuating module position, and a control system configured to actuate each of the plurality of actuators positioned in the first actuating module position to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position.

Cross-reference is made to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/547,859 entitled “Table Saw with Dust Shield” by Chung, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/547,912 entitled “Table Saw with Positive Locking Mechanism” by Chung et al., which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/547,977 entitled “Table Saw with Belt Stop” by Chung, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,035, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,316,748 entitled “Table Saw with Alignment Plate” by Chung et al., which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,156, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,245,612 entitled “Table Saw with Swing Arm Support” by Chung et al., which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,201, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,076 entitled “Table Saw with Mechanical Fuse” by Oberheim, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,236, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,537 filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,263, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,327,744 entitled “Table Saw with Reset Mechanism” by Groth et al., which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,280, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,957 entitled “Table Saw with Linkage Drop System” by Holmes et al., which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,317, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,291,801 entitled “Table Saw with Ratchet Mechanism” by Chung et al., which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009; and U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/548,342, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,258 entitled “Table Saw with Actuator Reset Mechanism” by Chung, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2009, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The principles of the present invention may be combined with features disclosed in those patent applications.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to power tools and more particularly to power tools with exposed shaping devices.

BACKGROUND

A number of power tools have been produced to facilitate forming a work-piece into a desired shape. One such power tool is a table saw. A wide range of table saws are available for a variety of uses. Some table saws such as cabinet table saws are very heavy and relatively immobile. Other table saws, sometimes referred to as jobsite table saws, are relatively light. Jobsite table saws are thus portable so that a worker can position the table saw at a job site. Some accuracy is typically sacrificed in making a table saw sufficiently light to be mobile. The convenience of locating a table saw at a job site, however, makes job site table saws very desirable in applications such as general construction projects.

All table saws, including cabinet table saws and job site table saws, present a safety concern because the saw blade of the table saw is typically very sharp and moving at a high rate of speed. Accordingly, severe injury such as severed digits and deep lacerations can occur almost instantaneously. A number of different safety systems have been developed for table saws in response to the dangers inherent in an exposed blade moving at high speed. One such safety system is a blade guard. Blade guards movably enclose the saw blade, thereby providing a physical barrier that must be moved before the rotating blade is exposed. While blade guards are effective to prevent some injuries, the blade guards can be removed by a user either for convenience of using the table saw or because the blade guard is not compatible for use with a particular shaping device. By way of example, a blade guard is typically not compatible with a dado blade and must typically be removed when performing non-through cuts.

Table saw safety systems have also been developed which are intended to stop the blade when a user's hand approaches or touches the blade. Various stopping devices have been developed including braking devices which are physically inserted into the teeth of the blade. Such approaches are extremely effective. Upon actuation of this type of braking device, however, the blade is typically ruined because of the braking member. Additionally, the braking member is typically destroyed. Accordingly, each time the safety device is actuated; significant resources must be expended to replace the blade and the braking member. Another shortcoming of this type of safety device is that the shaping device must be toothed. Moreover, if a spare blade and braking member are not on hand, a user must travel to a store to obtain replacements. Thus, while effective, this type of safety system can be expensive and inconvenient.

Some safety systems incorporating blade braking systems also move the blade below the surface of the table saw once the blade has been stopped. In this type of system, a latch is typically used to maintain the blade in position above the table saw surface until the braking system is activated. Some of these systems incorporate a single use actuator which must be replaced each time the actuator is fired.

In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a power tool with a safety system that does not interfere with shaping procedures. A safety system that did not damage the blade or other shaping device when the safety system is activated would be further advantageous. A further advantage would be realized by a safety system that could be repeatedly activated without the need for replacement parts each time the system is activated.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a table saw includes a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a latch pin pivotable between a first position whereat the latch pin is engaged with the swing arm assembly and a second position whereat the latch is not engaged with the swing arm assembly, an actuator module configured to receive a plurality of actuators, a first actuating module position within the actuator module configured to align a first of the plurality of actuators with a strike plate on the swing arm assembly, a loader configured to bias a second of the plurality of actuators from a second actuating module position within the actuator module toward the first actuating module position, and a control system configured to actuate each of the plurality of actuators positioned in the first actuating module position so as to cause the latch pin to move from the first position to the second position and to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position.

In another embodiment, a power tool includes a work-piece support surface, a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a latch pin movable between a first position whereat the latch pin is engaged with the swing arm assembly and a second position whereat the latch is not engaged with the swing arm assembly, an actuator module configured to receive a plurality of actuators, a first actuating module position within the actuator module configured to align a first of the plurality of actuators with a portion of the swing arm assembly, a loader configured to bias a second of the plurality of actuators from a second actuating module position within the actuator module toward the first actuating module position, and a control system configured to actuate each of the plurality of actuators positioned in the first actuating module position so as to cause the latch pin to move from the first position to the second position and to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure and together with a description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a table saw incorporating a mitigation system in accordance with principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of the table saw of FIG. 1 with the housing removed showing a movable carriage mounted on a pivoting frame beneath the work-piece support surface;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the swing arm assembly of the table saw of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the swing arm assembly of FIG. 3 with a portion of the swing arm housing removed and the swing arm assembly supported by a latch assembly including a latch hold that is biased against the swing arm assembly;

FIG. 4A depicts a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the actuator module of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of a stop pad for decelerating the swing arm assembly and substantially preventing the swing arm assembly from rebounding upwardly;

FIG. 4C depicts a schematic view of a controller operably connected to the actuator module of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 depicts a partial cross-section view of a swing arm assembly held in position by a latch pin biased against a latch hold;

FIG. 6 depicts a partial perspective view of the swing arm assembly and latch assembly of FIG. 1 after the actuator has been actuated thereby forcing the latch pin off of the latch hold such that the swing arm assembly moves away from the latch assembly;

FIG. 7 depicts a partial perspective view of the swing arm assembly and latch assembly of FIG. 1 after the swing arm assembly has cleared the latch hold allowing the latch hold to be biased into the swing path;

FIG. 8 depicts a partial perspective view of the swing arm assembly and latch assembly of FIG. 1 after the swing arm assembly has rebounded off of the stop pad and has been captured by a latch hold ledge thereby keeping the shaping device below the work-piece support surface;

FIG. 9 depicts a partial perspective view of the swing arm assembly and latch assembly of FIG. 1 after the swing arm assembly has rebounded off of the stop pad and has been captured by a secondary latch hold ledge thereby keeping the shaping device below the surface of the work-piece support surface;

FIG. 10A depicts a schematic view of a friction ratchet assembly for preventing the swing arm assembly from rebounding after the swing arm assembly has dropped;

FIG. 10B depicts a partial perspective view of a swing arm assembly including a spring-loaded swing arm assembly;

FIG. 10C depicts an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the spring-loaded swing arm assembly of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 10D depicts a schematic view of a swing arm assembly including an over-damped spring-loaded swing arm assembly;

FIG. 10E depicts a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a power tool with a latching pin that does not rotate with the swing arm mechanism;

FIG. 11 depicts a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a power tool with a vertical swing arm and a positive locking mechanism;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of the positive locking mechanism of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the positive locking mechanism of FIG. 11 as an actuator pin contacts an actuation ramp in a bore extending through the positive locking mechanism;

FIG. 14 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the positive locking mechanism of FIG. 11 as a strike plate is exposed to the actuator pin of FIG. 13 through the bore in the positive locking mechanism;

FIG. 15 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the positive locking mechanism of FIG. 11 as the actuator pin of FIG. 13 impacts the strike plate;

FIG. 16 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the power tool of FIG. 11 as the swing arm assembly contacts a release on a rebound latch;

FIG. 17 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the power tool of FIG. 11 with the swing arm assembly in contact with a latch foot on a rebound latch for automatically positioning the rebound latch to arrest rebounding of the swing arm assembly off of a stop pad;

FIG. 18 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the power tool of FIG. 11 with the swing arm assembly arrested from rebounding by the rebound latch;

FIG. 19 depicts a schematic representation of the relative positions of a shaping tool as a horizontally mounted swing arm and a vertically mounted swing arm move a blade to a location beneath a work-piece support surface;

FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of a positive locking mechanism which automatically aligns an actuating ramp with an actuator;

FIG. 21 depicts a cross-sectional view of a positive locking mechanism with a roller that reduces wear of the mechanism and which can be used to reduce movement of a latched swing arm assembly;

FIG. 22 depicts a cross-sectional view of a positive locking mechanism which can be used to reduce movement of a latched swing arm assembly;

FIGS. 23 and 24 depict a positive locking mechanism which engages a pin in a swing arm assembly and with an actuation ramp extending from the body of the mechanism, and which rotates about an axis of rotation that is not parallel to the axis along which an actuator pin moves;

FIGS. 25 and 26 depict a positive locking mechanism which engages a recess in a swing arm assembly and with an actuation ramp defined in the body of the mechanism, and which rotates about an axis of rotation that is not parallel to the axis along which an actuator pin moves; and

FIGS. 27 and 28 depict a positive locking mechanism which engages a recess in a swing arm assembly and with an actuation ramp defined in the body of the mechanism, and which rotates about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axis along which an actuator pin moves.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While the power tools described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the power tools to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all combinations of features, modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, a table saw 100 is shown. The table saw 100 includes a base housing 102 and a work-piece support surface 104. A splitter 106 is positioned adjacent to a blade 108 which extends from within the base housing 102 to above the work-piece support surface 104. A blade guard (not shown) may be attached to the splitter 106. An angle indicator 110 indicates the angle of the blade 108 with respect to the work-piece support surface 104. A bevel adjust turn-wheel 112 may be used to establish the angle of the blade 108 with respect to the work-piece support surface 104 by pivoting a frame 114 (shown in FIG. 2) within the base housing 102.

A motor 116 which is powered through a switch 118 located on the base housing 102, is supported by a carriage assembly 120. The carriage assembly 120 and a stop pad 122 are supported by the frame 114. The carriage assembly 120 includes a carriage 124 to which the motor 116 is mounted and two guiderails 126/128. The position of the carriage 124 along the guiderails 126/128 is controlled by a blade height turn-wheel 130 through a gearing assembly 132 and a height adjustment rod 134. The carriage 124 fixedly supports a latch assembly 140 and pivotably supports a swing arm assembly 142.

The swing arm assembly 142, also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a housing 144. A strike plate 146 and a rebound plate 148 are mounted on the housing 144. The housing 144 encloses a power wheel 150 that is driven by a power shaft 152. The power shaft 152 may be directly driven by the motor 116 or by a reduction gear (not shown). A belt 154 transfers rotational movement from the power wheel 150 to a blade wheel 156. A nut 158 is used to affix the blade 108 (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for purpose of clarity) on a blade wheel shaft 157 which extends from the blade wheel 156. A tensioner 160 maintains the belt 154 at a desired tension.

With additional reference to FIG. 5, the swing arm assembly 142 also includes a lip 164 and a latch pin 166 which is biased by a spring 168 toward a latch hold 170 which is part of the latch assembly 140. In an alternate one embodiment, the latch pin is fixedly attached to the swing arm assembly 142. The latch hold 170 includes a latch ledge 172 and three rebound ledges 174, 176, and 178 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 4, the latch ledge 172 is formed complementarily to the shape of the latch pin 166. The latch assembly 140 further includes a base 180 and an actuator module 500. Two springs 186 and 188 are positioned between the base 180 and the latch hold 170 which is mounted by a pivot 190 to the carriage 124.

The actuator module 500, also shown in FIG. 4A, includes a plurality of actuators 502 _(x) each of which include a respective actuator pin 504 _(x). A loader 506 includes a plate 508 biased by a spring 510 into contact with the actuators 502 _(x). The actuator 502 ₁ is positioned in a first actuating module position 512.

Operation of the table saw 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Initially, the swing arm assembly 142 is maintained in a latched position with the latch pin 166 resting on the latch ledge 172 as shown in FIG. 5. In this position, the springs 188 and 186 are under compression and exert a bias on the latch hold 170 about the pivot 190 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. The latch hold 170 is thus biased into contact with the lip 164 of the swing arm assembly 142 which restricts rotation of the latch hold 170.

Additionally, the blade wheel 156 is positioned sufficiently close to the work-piece support surface 104 that the blade 108 extends above the work-piece support surface 104 as shown in FIG. 1. A user operates the bevel adjust turn wheel 112 to pivot the frame 114 with respect to the work-piece support surface 104 to establish a desired angle between the blade 108 and the work-piece support surface 104. The user further operates the blade height adjustment turn-wheel 130 to move the carriage 124 along the guiderails 126/128 to establish a desired height of the blade 108 above the work-piece support surface 104.

Using the switch 118, power is then applied to the motor 116 causing the output shaft 152 and the power wheel 150 to rotate. Rotation of the power wheel 150 causes the belt 154 to rotate the blade wheel 156 and the blade 108 which is mounted on the blade wheel 156. A work-piece may then be shaped by moving the work-piece into contact with the blade 108.

The table saw 100 includes a sensing and control circuit or control system 501 (FIG. 4C) which activates the actuator 502 ₁ in response to a sensed condition. Any desired sensing and control circuit may be used for this purpose. One acceptable sensing and control circuit is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,153, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. The safety detection and protection system described in the '153 patent senses an unsafe condition and provides a control signal which, in the table saw 100, is used to actuate the actuator 502 _(x) positioned in a first actuating module position 512.

Upon actuation of the actuator 502 x, the actuator pin 504 x is forced outwardly from the actuator 502 x. When the swing arm assembly 142 is maintained in a latched position with the latch pin 166 resting on the latch ledge 172 as shown in FIG. 5, the strike plate 146 is aligned with the actuator 502 x positioned in the first actuating module position 512. Accordingly, as the actuator pin 504 x is forced out of the actuator 502 x, the actuator pin 504 x impacts the strike plate 146.

The shapes of the latch pin 166 and the latch ledge 172 are selected such that the impact of the actuator pin 504 _(x) on the strike plate 146 generates a force tending to push the latch pin 166 against the spring 168. The spring constant of the spring 168 and the operating characteristics of the actuator 502 _(x) are selected such that when the actuator pin 504 _(x) impacts the strike plate 146 the generated force is sufficient to compress the spring 168 and to force the latch pin 166 into a position whereat the swing arm assembly 142 is no longer maintained in position adjacent to the latch assembly 140 by the latch pin 166. In the alternative embodiments with a rigid latch pin 166, the generated force causes the latch hold 170 to rotate about the pivot 190 in a counterclockwise direction thereby forcing the springs 186 and 188 into further compression. When the latch hold 170 has rotated sufficiently, the latch ledge 172 moves out from underneath the latch pin 166.

In either event, the swing arm assembly 142 is no longer supported by the latch hold 170. Consequently, the swing arm assembly 142 pivots about the power shaft 152 in the direction of the arrow 200 of FIG. 6 such that the blade wheel 156 moves away from the work-piece support surface 104 through the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the blade 108 is pulled by the swing arm assembly 142 in a direction away from the work-piece support surface 104.

Because the latch ledge 172 is formed complementarily to the shape of the latch pin 166, the wear of the latch ledge 172 and the latch pin 166 during the de-latching described above is reduced. Accordingly, the pressure needed to effect de-latching does not change significantly over multiple actuations of the actuator module 500.

As the swing arm assembly 142 moves in the direction of the arrow 200, the rebound plate 148 of the swing arm assembly 142 rotates below the rebound ledge 178 of the latch hold 170. At this point, rotation of the latch hold 170 about the pivot 190 is no longer restrained by the swing arm assembly 142. Accordingly, the springs 186 and 188 cause the latch hold 170 to rotate into a position whereat the rebound ledge 178 is located in the swing path of the swing arm 142, that is, the path along which the swing arm 142 moves, as shown in FIG. 7.

The configuration of FIG. 7 further shows the swing arm assembly 142 rotated to a position whereat the swing arm assembly 142 contacts the stop pad 122. Accordingly, further rotation of the swing arm assembly 142 in the direction of the arrow 200 of FIG. 6 is impeded by the stop pad 122. At this position, the blade 108 is completely located below the work-piece support surface 104. Therefore, an operator above the work-piece support surface 104 cannot be injured by the blade 108.

The stop pad 122 in this embodiment is a catcher assembly shown in FIG. 4B which includes a housing 520, two rubber portions 522 and 524, and a sand portion 526 positioned beneath the rubber portions 522 and 524. As the swing arm assembly 142 makes contact with the stop pad 122, the swing arm assembly 142 is wedged in between the rubber portions 522 and 524 which are spaced to provide an interference fit. The interference fit absorbs the kinetic energy of the swing arm assembly 142 and causes deceleration of the swing arm assembly 142. The sand portion 526 absorbs residual kinetic energy of the swing arm assembly 142 and brings the swing arm assembly 142 to a complete stop. The interference fit between the rubber portions 522 and 524 and the swing arm assembly 142 also substantially prevents the swing arm assembly 142 from rebounding upward. In other embodiments, a foam material such as “memory foam” may be used in place of the sand portion 526.

When the condition resulting in actuation of the actuation module 500 clears, the swing arm assembly 142 may be reset. The swing arm assembly 142 is reset by moving the latch hold 170 out of the swing path. This is effected by compressing the springs 188 and 186. The swing arm assembly 142 may then be rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the output shaft 152 until the rebound plate 148 is adjacent to the upper surface of the latch hold 170. The latch hold 170 is then released and the springs 188 and 186 bias the latch hold 170 about the pivot 190 into contact with the lip 164 of the swing arm assembly 142 which restricts rotation of the latch hold 170. Additionally, the swing arm assembly 142 is maintained in a latched position with the latch pin 166 resting on the latch ledge 172 as shown in FIG. 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, each of the plurality of actuators 502 _(x) is independently removable from the actuator module 500. Accordingly, after the actuator 502 ₁ has been actuated, a user removes the expended actuator 502 ₁. Because the spring 510 is biasing the loader plate 508 toward the first actuator position 512, the actuator 502 ₂ is automatically loaded into the first actuator position 512 upon removal of the actuator 502 ₁. In one embodiment, movement of an actuator 502 _(x) into the first actuator position automatically forms a connection (not shown) between the actuator 502 _(x) and the safety detection and protection system. The table saw 100 is then ready for continued operation.

Other devices in addition to or in place of the stop pad 122 may be used to limit rebound of the swing arm 124. By way of example, the springs 186 and 188 bias the latch hold 170 to a location within the swing path of the swing arm assembly 142. Accordingly, any movement of the swing arm assembly 142 toward the work-piece support surface 104 brings the rebound plate 148 into contact with the rebound ledge 178 as shown in FIG. 8. In the position of FIG. 8, the blade 108 remains below the surface of the work-piece support surface 104 even after the swing arm assembly 142 rebounds off of the stop pad 122. Therefore, an operator above the work-piece support surface 104 cannot be injured by the blade 108.

The spring constants for the springs 186 and 188 are thus selected to ensure that the latch hold 170 is positioned within the swing path of the swing arm assembly 142 before the swing arm assembly 142 travels from the latched position downwardly into contact with the stop pad 122 and then upwardly to a position whereat the blade 108 is above the work-piece support surface 104. Of course, the time available for moving the latch hold 170 into the swing path can be increased by moving the stop pad 122 further away from the work-piece support surface 104 along the swing path. Such modification increases the overall height of the frame 114, particularly for embodiments with variable blade height. The increased material for the frame 114 results in increased weight. Increased size and weight are generally not desired for movable power tools. Thus, positioning the stop pad 122 closer to the work-piece support surface 104 along the swing path reduces the height of the frame 114 and the resultant weight of the table saw 100.

For some embodiments wherein the stop pad 122 is positioned closer to the work-piece support surface 104 along the swing path, such as the embodiment of FIG. 1, the distance between the swing arm assembly 142 in the latched position and the stop pad 122 is such that the swing arm assembly 142 contacts the stop pad 122 before the rebound plate 148 rotates beneath the rebound ledge 178. Accordingly, the rebound ledges 174 and 176 are provided at locations above the rebound ledge 178 to contact the rebound plate 148 when the swing arm assembly 142 is actuated with the carriage 124 positioned closer to the stop pad 122 as depicted in FIG. 9.

The angle and length of the stop pad 122 are selected in the embodiment of FIG. 2 to o ensure that the swing arm assembly 142 contacts the stop pad 122 at the foot 192 (see FIG. 3) regardless of the initial height of the carriage 124. Thus the foot 192 receives the force of the impact when the swing arm assembly 142 contacts the stop pad 122. Accordingly, while the materials used to form the foot 192, the strike plate 146, and the rebound plate 148 are selected to absorb multiple impacts, lighter materials may be used in other areas of the swing arm assembly 142 to minimize weight of the table saw 100.

In other embodiments, a friction ratchet assembly 600 as depicted in FIG. 10A is used to reduce rebounding of the swing arm 142. The friction ratchet assembly 600 includes a wheel 602, a spring 604, a first friction shoe 606, a second friction shoe 608, a wheel flange 610, a first arm 612, and a second arm 614. The first friction shoe 606 is coupled to the first arm 612. The second friction shoe 608 is coupled the second arm 614. The wheel flange 610 is disposed between the first and second friction shoes 606 and 608. The spring 604 applies a light force to the first and second friction shoes 606 and 608 to lightly make contact with the wheel flange 610 when the swing arm assembly 142 is moving downward (in a clockwise direction). Thus, upon initial actuation, the swing arm assembly 142 pivots about the power shaft 152 and moves downwardly quickly.

During any counter-clockwise rotation of the swing arm assembly 142, the second arm 614 is forced inwardly generating an increasing amount of friction force between the first and second friction shoes 606 and 608 and the wheel flange 610. This friction force quickly slows the counter-clockwise rotation of the swing arm assembly 142, thereby reducing rebound of the swing arm assembly 142. Thus, the friction force resists upward (counter-clockwise) movement of the swing arm assembly 142 and prevents the blade 108 from traveling above the work-piece support surface 104.

In some embodiments, the actuators do not strike the swing arm assembly. By way of example, the table saw 650 of FIGS. 10B and 10C includes a swing arm assembly 652, a spring 654, a lever catch 656, and an actuator 658. The spring 654 can be a helical, compression, or a torsion spring. The spring 654 is coupled to the swing arm assembly 652 and is configured to be placed in its natural position, i.e., where the spring 654 is under minimal or reduced load, when the swing arm assembly 652 has reached its maximum downward (clockwise) travel. An actuator pin 660 of the actuator 658 is normally in contact with the lever catch 656. The actuator 658 is configured to slidably move the actuator pin 660 in and out of contact with the lever catch 656.

Accordingly, the swing arm 652 is rotated by the spring 654 when the actuator 658 is actuated and contact between the actuator pin 660 and the lever catch 656 is removed. At the end of the clockwise travel, the swing arm assembly 652 tends to rebound in a counter-clockwise direction as described above. Any such rotation, however, results in loading of the spring 654. Therefore, upward (counter-clockwise) movement of the swing arm assembly 652 is prevented ensuring that the blade 108 does not travel above the work-piece support surface 104.

In a further embodiment depicted in FIG. 10D, one or multiple coil springs 670 are coupled to the swing arm assembly 672 on the lower side of the swing arm assembly 672. The coil spring 670 as depicted in FIG. 10D is in a loaded configuration. Upon activation of an activation module (not shown) the swing arm assembly 672 is released and, due to the spring force of the coil spring 670, the swing arm assembly 672 quickly moves downward (clockwise direction). At the end of the clockwise travel, the swing arm assembly 672 tends to rebound in a counter-clockwise direction. During the rebound the coil spring 672 is loaded. The spring constant of the spring 670 is selected to be over-damped throughout all possible latched swing arm positions. Therefore, upward (counter-clockwise) movement of the swing arm assembly 672 that would expose a blade or other shaping device thereon (not shown) above a work-piece support surface (not shown) is prevented.

The table saw 100 thus actively monitors for an unsafe condition and initiates mitigation action automatically in the event an unsafe condition is sensed. Additionally, movement and subsequent stopping of the swing arm assembly 172 is accomplished without requiring physical contact with the blade 108. Accordingly, the blade 108 is not damaged by the mitigation action.

Moreover, because the mitigation action does not require interaction with the blade 108, the mitigation system of the table saw 100 may be used with other shaping devices such as sanding wheels, blades with varying dado blades, and molding head cutters, without requiring any modification to the mitigation system. Additionally, because the moving components of the mitigation system can be mounted on the frame 114, the mitigation system can be used with any desired blade height or bevel angle.

The mitigation system discussed with respect to the table saw 100 can be implemented using very light materials, and is thus amenable to incorporation into a variety of power tools including bench top saws and portable saws. For example, the components which are subjected to increased stress within the mitigation system, such as the actuator pin 504 _(x), the latch hold 170, the rebound plate 148, and the strike plate 146, can be made of more durable materials including metals to withstand the impacts and stresses of activating the mitigation system. Other components, including the housings, may be fabricated from more lightweight materials to minimize the weight of the power tool.

If desired, the components of the table saw 100 may repositioned within the housing 102. By way of example, FIG. 10E depicts a power tool 202 with a latch pin 204 positioned within a base 206. The latch pin 204 is biased by a spring (not shown) toward a latch hold 208 which is pivotably mounted by a pivot 210 to a swing arm assembly 212. In this embodiment, the latch hold 208 includes a latch ledge 214 and a single rebound ledge 216. The base 206 includes a rebound plate 218. An additional rebound plate 220 is provided on the base 206 as a safety measure in the event the latch hold 208 does not move with the designed speed in a manner similar to the latch hold 170. Operation of the power tool 202 as configured in the manner of FIG. 10E is substantially identical to operation of the table saw 100 as configured in FIG. 4.

A further example of rearranged components is shown in FIG. 11, wherein a power tool 230 includes a swing arm assembly 232 mounted vertically on a carriage assembly 234 below a slot 236 in a work support surface 238. The power tool 230 further includes an actuator 240 and a rebound latch 242, both of which are also mounted to the carriage assembly 234. The swing arm assembly 232 includes a power wheel 244 which rotates a blade wheel 246 through a belt 248. The swing arm assembly 232 further includes a strike plate 250 and a latch plate 252.

The swing arm assembly 232 is maintained in the position shown in FIG. 11 by a latch pin 254. The latch pin 254 is biased by a spring 256 into a latch recess 258 in the swing arm assembly 232. The pin 254, also shown in FIG. 12, includes a head 260 and a body 262. A bore 264 extends through the body 262 and includes an actuation ramp 266. The surface of the actuation ramp 266 is angled from an upper portion 268 of the bore 264 to a lower portion 270 of the bore 264.

The rebound latch 242 is pivotably mounted to the carriage assembly 234 by a pivot 272. A spring 274 biases the rebound latch 242 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 11. The rebound latch 242 includes a rebound ledge 276, a release 278, and a latch foot 280. A stop pad 282 is also mounted to the carriage assembly 234.

Operation of the power tool 230 may be substantially identical to operation of the table saw 100 through the firing of the actuator 240. When the actuator 240 is actuated, however, an actuator pin 290, shown in FIG. 13, is forced outwardly from the actuator 240 into contact with the actuation ramp 266. The shape of the actuator pin 290 and the actuation ramp 266 forces the latch pin 254 against the spring 256. The force transferred from the actuator 240 is sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring 256. Accordingly, the spring 256 is compressed and the pin 254 moves outwardly from the latch recess 258 to the position shown in FIG. 14.

In FIG. 14, the latch pin 254 has moved to a position whereat the strike plate 250 of the swing arm assembly 232 is exposed to the actuator pin 290 through the lower portion 270 of the bore 264. Additionally, the head 260 of the latch pin 254 has been moved to a position whereat rotation of the swing arm assembly 232 is not inhibited by the latch pin 254, even though a portion of the latch pin 254 may remain within the recess 258.

Continued movement of the actuator pin 290 outwardly from the actuator 240 causes the actuator pin 290 to contact the strike plate 250 as depicted in FIG. 15. The actuator pin 290 transfers sufficient force to the strike plate 250 to cause the swing arm assembly 232 to rotate about the power wheel 244 in a manner similar to the rotation of the swing arm assembly 142 described above. Rotation of the swing arm assembly 232 brings the swing arm assembly 232 into contact with the release 278 of the rebound latch 242 as shown in FIG. 16. The force of the swing arm assembly 232 is sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring 274 thereby rotating the rebound latch 242 about the pivot 272 in the direction of the arrow 284.

Once the rebound latch 242 has rotated sufficiently, the swing arm assembly 232 slides past the release 278 and into contact with the latch foot 280 as shown in FIG. 17. Continued rotation of the swing arm assembly 232 forces the latch foot 280 downward, causing the rebound latch 242 to rotate in the direction of the arrow 286 of FIG. 17. As the rebound latch 242 rotates in the direction of the arrow 286, the rebound ledge 276 is rotated into a position above the latch plate 252 as shown in FIG. 18.

The swing arm assembly 232 then rotates into contact with the stop pad 282. In the event the swing arm assembly 232 begins to rebound off of the stop pad 282, the latch plate 252 moves into contact with the rebound ledge 276 and rotation of the swing arm assembly 232 is arrested.

The vertical arm configuration of the tool 230 may be desirable in applications wherein injury is most likely to occur as a result of movement parallel to the surface of the work-piece support surface. By way of example, FIG. 19 is a schematic of a work-piece support surface 300 with a shaping device 302 extending above the surface of the work-piece support surface 300. The shaping device 302 rotates about an axis defined by a blade wheel 304. In a horizontal swing arm configuration, the blade wheel 304 is driven by a power shaft 306. In a vertical swing arm configuration, the blade wheel 304 is driven by a power shaft 308.

A work-piece, for purpose of this example, is moved by a user toward the blade 302 in the direction of the arrow 310. Thus, the point at which the user is most likely to come into accidental contact with the shaping device 302 is at or near the location 312. When accelerated such as by an actuator 182, the blade wheel 304, in a horizontal swing arm configuration, rotates from the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 to the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 _(H1) in a first time interval. The location of the shaping device 302 associated with the blade wheel 304 _(H1) is blade 302 _(H1). Thus, the blade 302 has moved from the location 312 to the location 314.

During the same time interval, the blade wheel 304, in a vertical swing arm configuration, rotates from the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 to the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 _(V1). The location of the shaping device 302 associated with the blade wheel 304 _(V1) is blade 302 _(V1). Thus, the blade 302 has moved from the location 312 to the location 316. Accordingly, the blade 302 is moved farther away from the contact point 312 by the vertical configuration than by the horizontal configuration.

Likewise, the blade wheel 304, in a horizontal swing arm configuration, rotates from the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 _(H1) to the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 _(H2) in a second time interval. The location of the shaping device 302 associated with the blade wheel 304 _(H2) is blade 302 _(H2). Thus, the blade 302 has moved from the location 312 to the location 316 over two time intervals.

During the second time interval, the blade wheel 304, in a vertical swing arm configuration, rotates from the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 _(V1) to the position indicated by the blade wheel 304 _(V2). The location of the shaping device 302 associated with the blade wheel 304 _(V2) is blade 302 _(V2). Thus, the blade 302 has moved from the location 312 to the location 318. Accordingly, the blade 302 moves away from the contact point 312 by about a factor of two in the vertical configuration as compared to the horizontal configuration.

Thus, in applications wherein an injury is most likely to occur at one side of the shaping device, a vertically oriented swing arm may be used to mitigate injury. Most table saw applications will fit into this scenario if a blade guard is installed. FIG. 19 similarly illustrates that the horizontal swing arm configuration moves the blade downwardly at a faster rate. Thus, in applications wherein the injury is most likely to occur at the top of the shaping device, a horizontal swing arm configuration may be used to mitigate injury.

As described above, operation of the latch pin 254 is significantly different from operation of the latch pin 166. Specifically, the latch pin 166 is operated by applying a force to the swing arm assembly 142. In contrast, the latch pin 254 is relatively immune to activation by application of force to the swing arm assembly 232. Accordingly, the latch pin 254 is a positive locking mechanism that is not susceptible to unintentional unlocking absent complete failure of the latch pin 254. The latch pin 254 may thus be used in swing arms that are positioned in any desired orientation.

A variety of positive locking mechanisms, i.e., mechanisms wherein a latch is moved prior to application of rotational force to the swing arm assembly, may be incorporated into power tools. One example of another positive locking mechanism is the latch pin 320 of FIG. 20. The latch pin 320 includes a head 322 and a body 324. The latch pin 320 further includes an actuation ramp 326 within a bore 328. While the latch pin 320 is similar to the latch pin 254, the body 324 of the latch pin 320 is substantially wider than the cylindrical body 262 of the latch pin 254. Thus, the bore 328 of the latch pin 320 is easily maintained in alignment with an actuator pin. Additionally, a non-cylindrical body such as the body 324 may provide enhanced alignment of the swing arm with which the body 324 is used.

Another positive locking mechanism is the latch pin 330 of FIG. 21. The latch pin 330 includes a head 332 and a body 334. The body 334 may be any desired shape including rectangular or cylindrical. The latch pin 330 further includes an actuation ramp 336 within a bore 338. The latch pin 330 also includes a wheel 340 rotatably mounted in the head 332. The wheel 340 reduces wear on the latch pin 330. Additionally, the wheel 340 in this embodiment is configured to contact only one side of a recess 342 in a swing arm 344. Accordingly, by providing another member which limits the upward or counter-clockwise travel of the swing arm 344, the wheel 340 is used to “pinch” the swing arm 344 to reduce or eliminate undesired movement of the swing arm 344.

Another positive locking mechanism is the latch pin 360 of FIG. 22. The latch pin 360 includes a head 362 and a body 364. The body 364 may be any desired shape including rectangular or cylindrical. The latch pin 360 further includes an actuation ramp 366 within a bore 368. The head 362 in this embodiment is configured to contact opposing tapered sides of a recess 370 in a swing arm 372. Accordingly, seating of the head 362 in the recess 370 eliminates undesired movement of the swing arm 372. Further reduction in non-axial movement of the latch pin 360 while permitting axial movement for locking and unlocking the swing arm 372 is provided by oil impregnated bushings 374.

A positive locking mechanism may also be provided in the form of rotating latch pin such as the latch pin 380 depicted in FIGS. 23 and 24. The latch pin 380 includes a head 382 and a body 384. The latch pin 380 further includes an actuation ramp 386 extending from the body 384. The head 382 includes a hook portion 388 which engages a retaining pin 390 in a swing arm 392. The latch pin 380 is pivotably supported by a pivot pin 394 and biased toward the retaining pin 390 by a spring 396. When the hook portion 388 engages the retaining pin 390, the actuation ramp 386 is aligned with an actuator pin 398.

In operation, movement of the actuator pin 398 causes the actuator pin 398 to impinge the actuation ramp 386 of the latch pin 380 imparting a rotational force to the latch pin 380. The actuation ramp 386 thus converts axial force from the actuator pin 398 to a rotational force. The rotational force overcomes the bias of the spring 396 causing the latch pin 380 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 394. The shape of the hook portion 388 and the retaining pin 390 along with the location of the hook portion 388 relative to the pivot pin 394 is selected to ensure that an upward force is not imparted onto the retaining pin 390 from the latch pin 380 during this rotation. Once the actuation ramp 386 has rotated sufficiently, the actuator pin 398 continues to move axially into contact with the swing arm 392.

The latch pin 400 depicted in FIGS. 25 and 26 is another positive locking mechanism in the form of rotating latch pin. The latch pin 400 includes a head 402 and a body 404. The latch pin 400 further includes an actuation ramp 406 extending from the body 404. The head 402 includes a lip portion 408 which engages a retaining recess 410 in a swing arm 412. The latch pin 400 is pivotably supported by a pivot pin 414 and biased toward the retaining recess 410 by a spring 416. When the lip portion 408 engages the retaining recess 410, the actuation ramp 406 is aligned with an actuator pin 418, wherein as taught by the analogous actuator and strike plate structure of FIG. 4, the actuator pin 418 could be, or could be replaced by, actuator pin 504 which is a part of the actuator module 500.

In operation, movement of the actuator pin 418 causes the actuator pin 418 to impinge the actuation ramp 406 of the latch pin 400 imparting a rotational force to the latch pin 400. The rotational force overcomes the bias of the spring 416 causing the latch pin 400 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 414. The shape of the lip portion 408 and the retaining recess 410 along with the location of the lip portion 408 relative to the pivot pin 414 is selected to ensure that an upward force is not imparted onto the retaining recess 410 from the latch pin 404 during this rotation. Once the actuation ramp 406 has rotated sufficiently, the actuator pin 418 continues to move axially into contact with the swing arm 412.

The actuator pin 418 in this embodiment impinges a strike plate portion 420 which is pivotably attached to a lower swing arm housing 422 by a pivot pin 424. Spring washers 426 positioned between the strike plate portion 420 and the lower swing arm housing 422 bias the strike plate portion 420 into a position aligned with the actuator pin 418 when the lip portion 408 is within the retaining recess 410. When the actuator pin 418 impacts the strike plate portion 420, the spring washers 426 are compressed thereby reducing the peak force that is transferred from the strike plate portion 420 to the other components of the swing arm 412. This allows lighter materials to be used for some components of the swing arm 412 while ensuring a rapid acceleration of the swing arm 412.

The latch pin 430 depicted in FIGS. 27 and 28 is another positive locking mechanism in the form of rotating latch pin. The latch pin 430 includes a head 432 and a body 434. The latch pin 430 further includes an actuation ramp 436 extending into the body 434. The head 432 includes a lip portion 438 which engages a retaining recess 440 in a swing arm 442. The latch pin 430 is pivotably supported by a pivot pin 444 and biased toward the retaining recess 440 by a radial spring 446. When the lip portion 438 engages the retaining recess 440, the actuation ramp 436 is aligned with an actuator pin (not shown). If desired, a second latch pin (not shown), substantially identical to the latch pin 430, may be provided in opposition to the latch pin 430.

In operation, movement of the actuator pin (not shown) causes the actuator pin (not shown) to impinge the actuation ramp 436 of the latch pin 430 and the axial force is translated into a rotational force by the actuating ramp 436 imparting a rotational force to the latch pin 430. The rotational force overcomes the bias of the spring 446 causing the latch pin 430 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 444 and outwardly from the swing arm 442. Once the actuation ramp 436 has rotated sufficiently, the actuator pin (not shown) continues to move axially into contact with a strike plate 448 on the swing arm 442.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A power tool comprising: a work-piece support surface; a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface; a latch pin movable between a first latch pin position whereat the latch pin supports the swing arm assembly in the first swing arm position and a second latch pin position whereat the latch pin does not support the swing arm assembly in the first swing arm position wherein the latch pin includes an actuation ramp; an actuator module configured to receive a plurality of actuators, and a first actuator received in the actuator module, the actuator module including a first actuating module position whereat the first actuator is aligned with a portion of the swing arm assembly, and whereat in the first actuating module position within the actuator module the first actuator is further aligned with the actuation ramp; and a control system configured to actuate each of the plurality of actuators when positioned in the first actuating module position, the power tool configured such that actuation of each of the plurality of actuators when the latch pin is in the first latch pin position and supporting the swing arm assembly in the first swing arm position results in (i) movement of the latch pin from the first latch pin position to the second latch pin position, and (ii) forcing of the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position.
 2. The power tool of claim 1, wherein: the actuator module comprises a spring configured to bias a second of the plurality of actuators from a second actuating module position toward the first actuating module position.
 3. The power tool of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of actuators comprises a pyrotechnic device.
 4. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator module is removably supported beneath the work-piece support surface.
 5. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is the first actuator of a plurality of actuators received in the actuator module, and wherein each of the plurality of actuators is independently removable from the actuator module.
 6. The power tool of claim 1, wherein: the latch pin is biased toward the first latch pin position; and actuation of each of the plurality of actuators when the latch pin is in the first latch pin position and supporting the swing arm assembly in the first swing arm position results in an initial movement of the latch pin away from the swing arm assembly.
 7. The power tool of claim 1, further comprising: a retaining pin, wherein the latch pin is engaged with the retaining pin in the first latch pin position and wherein the latch pin is not engaged with the retaining pin in the second latch pin position.
 8. The power tool of claim 7, wherein the retaining pin is fixedly attached to the swing arm assembly.
 9. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the latch pin further comprises a hook portion that releasably engages a retaining pin attached to the swing arm assembly when the swing arm assembly is in the first swing arm assembly position and the latch pin is in the first latch pin position. 